In a career marked by setbacks and disappointment, Raquel Pennington has finally risen to the occasion and claimed the UFC’s vacant bantamweight championship. This victory comes almost six years after her demoralizing defeat against Amanda Nunes in her first title appearance. Pennington’s journey has been an arduous one, but she has proved her resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Pennington’s path to the championship was not an easy one. In the co-main event of UFC 297 held at the Scotiabank Arena, she faced off against Brazilian challenger Mayra Bueno Silva. Despite Bueno Silva’s relentless attempts to secure chokes and submission holds, Pennington showcased her veteran presence by calmly escaping every dangerous situation. The judges unanimously scored the bout in Pennington’s favor with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.
Pennington’s Dominance
Throughout the fight, Pennington demonstrated her striking prowess. Employing her jab and right cross effectively, she kept Bueno Silva at bay for the majority of the bout. Whenever Bueno Silva attempted to take Pennington down in the clinch, she paid the price with punishing knees to the body and well-executed elbow strikes. Although the fight had its moments of grappling stalemates that caused some dissatisfaction among the Canadian crowd, Pennington’s constant activity and offensive output were evident. UFC Stats revealed that Pennington landed a total of 252 strikes compared to Bueno Silva’s 88. Moreover, Pennington exhibited superior control time, even against a formidable opponent known for her grappling skills.
With her victory, Pennington sets the stage for an anticipated clash against Julianna Peña for the bantamweight title. Peña was expected to face Pennington at UFC 297 but was recovering from an undisclosed injury at the time. Pennington wasted no time sending a message to her next potential opponent, urging Peña to “get better and sign on the dotted line.” After a decade-long wait, Pennington is eager to finally face Peña in the Octagon.
It is worth noting that former champion Amanda Nunes, who retired from the sport last year, was present at the event to witness Pennington’s triumph. Pennington’s victory marks her as the sixth undisputed bantamweight champion in UFC history, following in the footsteps of trailblazer Ronda Rousey.
Raquel Pennington’s journey to the top of the UFC’s bantamweight division is a tale of redemption. Despite enduring a crushing defeat in her first title shot, she refused to let it define her. Pennington’s resilience, hard work, and unwavering spirit brought her back to the pinnacle of her sport. As she raises the bantamweight championship belt in triumph, Pennington serves as an inspiration to all aspiring fighters, teaching us the importance of perseverance and never giving up on our dreams.
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